LITTLE ROCK (AP) — The president of an Arkansas conservative group that campaigned against legalizing medical marijuana said Friday that he agreed not to refer in certain ways to machines that dispense the drug in order to settle a lawsuit.

Medicine Dispensing Systems Inc., which makes the machines, had sued Jerry Cox and the Family Council Action Committee over comments he made about the machines last year at a news conference. U.S. District Judge James Moody dismissed the lawsuit Wednesday after the two sides reached an agreement.

Cox, who declined to describe the specific terms of the settlement, said he and the committee agreed they wouldn’t refer to the machines in certain ways. He said the group did not pay any money to settle the suit.

“At the end of the day this will not affect our ability to oppose any efforts to legalize marijuana in Arkansas,” Cox said. “The agreement is narrow enough that we have plenty of leeway to talk about the issue of medical marijuana.”

Moody’s one-page order did not include any details on the settlement. MDS officials and their attorney did not immediately return messages for comment Friday.

Cox made the comments about the machine at a news conference where he and others were campaigning against a medical marijuana legalization measure. Standing next to a cardboard cutout of a Medbox machine made by the company, Cox said similar machines could be placed at convenience stores if medical marijuana was legalized. Voters rejected the legalization measure in November.

MDS accused Cox of defaming the company and its machines with statements that included comparing them to vending machines that offer snacks. MDS said its machines are found in hospitals, pharmacies and doctor’s offices and identifies authorized users through key cards and fingerprints.

At least two groups are trying to put medical marijuana legalization measures before Arkansas voters next year, but neither group has been given initial approval to begin gathering the signatures needed to win a spot on the ballot.